Inter-Facing Solar Panels

ABSTRACT

A method for effectively collecting solar energy, including disposing solar panels substantially inter-facing each other, and reflecting sun light between inter-facing solar panels. A solar panel, including a first portion adapted to convert sun light into usable energy at a first optimal wavelength; and a second portion adapted to convert sun light into usable energy at a second optimal wavelength. A method for effectively collecting solar energy, including using a first portion of a first solar panel to partially convert a beam of sun light into usable energy, and partially reflect the beam of sun light into a second solar panel; and using the second solar panel to partially convert the reflected beam into collectable energy.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Solar panels are used widely to generate electricity or to generate heat directly. Conventional solar panels are positioned facing the sun, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1, a solar panel array 100 may include a plurality of solar panels 101 a, 101 b, . . . . The individual solar panels are usually positioned substantially in a same plane that substantially faces the sun 103. To maximize the efficiency of collecting solar energy, it is usually preferred that the solar panels are as vertical to the sun light direction 102 as possible. In some prior art, the solar panels are driven, using motors, to follow the sun. A significant portion of sun light is reflected back to the space, as shown by arrow 104. Anti-reflecting (AR) coatings have been used to lower the reflection.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method for effectively collecting solar energy, including disposing solar panels substantially inter-facing each other, and reflecting sun light between inter-facing solar panels.

In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a solar panel, including a first portion adapted to convert sun light into usable energy at a first optimal wavelength; and a second portion adapted to convert sun light into usable energy at a second optimal wavelength.

In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method for effectively collecting solar energy, including using a first portion of a first solar panel to partially convert a beam of sun light into usable energy, and partially reflect the beam of sun light into a second solar panel; and using the second solar panel to partially convert the reflected beam into collectable energy.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the attached claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional solar panel array.

FIG. 2 shows a solar panel array in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrates different arrangements of solar panels in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a solar panel array including solar panels having different portions responding to different wavelengths in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a system for collecting solar energy in accordance with an embodiment of the invention including a plurality of irregular-shaped solar panels.

FIG. 6 shows a system for collecting solar energy in accordance with an embodiment of the invention including a plurality of irregular-shaped solar panels and a “master” panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with respect to the drawings. Like reference numbers are used to denote like parts throughout for consistency.

In one aspect, some embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods and systems for effectively collecting solar energy using solar panels that allow sun light to be reflected between the panels.

Referring to FIG. 1, a solar panel array 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of solar panels 201 a, 201 b, . . . , 201 f. A sunlight beam 102, for example, impinges on a solar panel 201 b, and is partially absorbed and the energy is converted to, e.g., electricity, and is partially reflected to, e.g., another solar panel 201 c. The light may be reflected back and forth many times, and is more efficiently collected. Unlike conventional solar panels, both sides of solar panels such as 201 c in FIG. 2 are coated with active material, such as compound semiconductor based, or organic-material based, photovoltaic layers. AR coatings are not needed for these solar panels.

Although the solar panels in FIG. 2 are shown to be substantially parallel to each other, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the solar panels are not necessarily parallel to each other so long as they are substantially inter-facing such that sunlight reflected off one solar panel may be received by another solar panel.

For example, shown in FIG. 3A, solar panels 301 a, 301 b, . . . , viewed from the side, have an angle therebetween. The angle between neighboring solar panels 301 a and 301 b are preferably less than 90° to allow a significant portion of sunlight being reflected off on a surface of a solar panel 301 a to be received by, e.g., another solar panel 301 b.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, shown in FIG. 3B, a plurality of solar panels 302 a, 302 b, . . . , are joined by, e.g., a hinge, a connector, or any other means known in the art, such that the solar panels can be compressed when are not in use, and extended when in use. The solar panels may optionally be removed from the joints and become individual solar panels.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, shown in FIG. 3C, a plurality of solar panels 304 a, 304 b, . . . , are disposed on a surface 305. The surface 305 may be spherical, cylindrical, or of any other shapes that allow an improved usage of space or areas. The solar “panels” are not necessarily two-dimensional plates having both sides coated with active layers. Rather, a solar “panel” such as 304 c may have there-dimensional shapes with more than two surfaces coated with active layers.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, shown in FIG. 4, a solar panel array 400 includes solar panels, e.g., 401 a that has a plurality of portions 402, 403, . . . , that are optimized for collecting solar energy at different wavelengths. For example, the first portion 402 may be optimized for converting UV light to electricity, and the second portion 403 may be optimized for converting sunlight at a longer wavelength to electricity, and other portions such as 406 is mainly responsible for converting infrared light or heat into usable energy.

When converting heat to usable energy, a portion 406 of the solar panel 401 a may use the conventional method, such as heating a liquid or gas, and the heated liquid or gas can be used. In addition, the heat may be converted to electricity, e.g., through the Seebeck effect.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the solar panel array 400 in FIG. 4 may be combined with a pipe or duct or tube 410, in which a cooling agent, such as water, flows. Not only the cooling agent cools the solar panels to improve the solar energy collection efficiency, the heat collected by the cooling agent may also be used, for example, to heat household water.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, a solar panel array 500, shown in FIG. 5, include a plurality of irregular-shaped solar “panels” 501 a, 501 b, . . . These “panels” may be grown on, e.g., a building top surface 504.

The shapes of these “panels” may be grown in a self-organized fashion, taking advantage of low-cost material growth technology, while maximizing reception surface area and taking advantage of reflected sunlight.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the reflection surfaces are made of porous structures to increase the area of the solar-power collecting surface and to take advantages of reflected sunlight.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, shown in FIG. 6, the system 600 includes a “master” panel 602, which together with a surface 604 are primarily responsible for reflecting light back and forth to allow smaller panels 601 a, 601 b, . . . to absorb the light. In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the “master” panel 602 itself may have active layers to absorb sunlight. In accordance with some other embodiments of the invention, the “master” panel 602 only serves as a reflective surface. A plurality of smaller “panels” with active solar-energy converting layers may additionally be grown on the master panel 602.

Similar to the system of FIG. 4, cooling water may be circulated near or underneath the surfaces 602 and 604.

The solar panels discussed above are not limited to solar cells for converting sunlight to electricity. Solar panels that collect heat using circulating fluid or gas in, e.g., tubes on the panels can also take advantage of the present invention.

Advantages of one or more embodiments of the present invention may include, but are not limited to: improved collection efficiency; minimized space; no need for AR coating. Solar panels in accordance with embodiments of the invention may be installed, e.g., on building surfaces, ships, automobiles, balloons, or on spacecrafts.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be advised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims. 

1. An apparatus for collecting solar energy, comprising: a plurality of solar panels, wherein at least a pair of neighboring solar panels among the plurality of solar panels are substantially facing each other so that when a beam of sun light impinges on one of the pair of neighboring solar panels, a reflected beam impinges on another one of the pair of neighboring solar panels.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a relative angle between the pair of neighboring solar panels is between −90 degrees and 90 degrees.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the relative angle is adjustable.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of solar panels are removably connected together and the subset of the plurality of solar panels are foldable and extendable.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of solar panels are disposed on a cylindrical surface, and wherein the subset of the plurality of solar panels each has a side substantially along a radial direction of the cylindrical surface.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of solar panels are disposed on a spherical surface, and wherein the subset of the plurality of solar panels each has a side substantially along a radial direction of the spherical surface.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of solar panels comprises a photovoltaic solar cell.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of solar panels comprises a photoconductive solar cell.
 9. The apparatus of the claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of solar panels comprises a heat collecting element.
 10. The apparatus of the claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of solar panels comprises a plurality of portions each of which has an optimal solar energy collecting efficiency for a specified wavelength of sun light.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a reflector adapted to focus sun light toward at least a subset of the plurality of solar panels.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cooling unit adapted to lower a temperature of the apparatus.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the cooling apparatus is adapted to collect thermal energy from at least a subset of the plurality of solar panels.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the side wall is curved toward outside the container.
 15. A solar panel, comprising: a first portion adapted to convert sun light into usable energy at a first optimal wavelength; and a second portion adapted to convert sun light into usable energy at a second optimal wavelength.
 16. The solar panel of claim 15, wherein the second portion is adapted to receive reflected sun light from another solar panel.
 17. A method for collecting solar energy, comprising: using a first portion of a first solar panel to partially convert a beam of sun light into usable energy, and partially reflect the beam of sun light into a second solar panel; and using the second solar panel to partially convert the reflected beam into collectable energy.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: using the second solar panel to partially reflect the reflected beam to a second portion of the first solar panel; and using the second portion of the first solar panel to further partially convert the twice-reflected beam into usable energy, wherein the second portion and the first portion are adapted to convert sun light into usable energy at different optimal wavelengths.
 19. A method for collecting solar energy, comprising: disposing at least two solar panels substantially facing each other, such that at least a part of reflected sunlight from a first panel impinges on at least partially on a second panel.
 20. A method of making a solar panel array, comprising: arranging at least two solar panels substantially facing each other, such that at least a part of reflected sunlight from a first panel impinges on at least partially on a second panel.
 21. A method of making a solar panel array, comprising: arranging at least two solar panels substantially facing each other, such that at least a part of reflected sunlight from a first panel impinges on at least partially on a second panel.
 22. A system for collecting solar energy, comprising: a plurality of solar panels substantially facing each other, wherein the plurality of solar panels are disposed substantially vertical to a first surface.
 23. The system of claim 22, further comprising: a second surface forming an angle with the first surface for reflecting sunlight between the first and second surfaces.
 24. The system of claim 23, further comprising: a plurality of solar panels disposed on the second surface.
 25. The system of claim 22, further comprising: a cooling unit including circulating cooling agent for cooling the system and for collecting heat. 